Humidifier for internal-combustion engines



.May 26, 1925. 1,539,661

V. F. FRANCK HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May 29. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 I7- .7 Z 4- L-Z I VTlTDancA,

May 26, 1925.

\ v. F. FRANCK HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29. 1923 H c r G Patented May 26, 1925.

UNITED STATES VAL .F. FRANCK, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed May 29, 1928.

To all wit-0111 it mag concern:

Be it known that I, VAL F. FRANQK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Humiditiers for Internal-Combustion Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention provides an attachment for utilizing the waste, such as the exhaust, of an internal combustion engine for vaporizing water which is added to the gaseous mixture supplied tothe engine, with the object of minimizing the accumulation of carbon to insure a smooth running motor and to enable an increased mileage for a given amount of gasoline.

Other ob ects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and rcquiren'ients, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the invention applied,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional detail view of the vaporizer and connections associated therewith on the line 33 of Figure 4,

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4: c of Figure 1, showing the parts on a larger scale, and

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates a tank adapted to contain a quantity of water and conveniently located to supply the water in regulated quantity to the humidifier by gravitative action. As indicated in Figure 1, the tank 1 is suspended from the radiator brace Serial No. 642,284.

2 of a motor vehicle and for this purpose hangers 3 are provided at the top of the tank and engage the brace 2 or like pat t. The tank 1 is provided with a filling opening which is closed by means of a'ca 1. A reinforcing plate 5 is applied to the ottom of the tank 1 and pipes 6 and 7 are coupled thereto and connect with a vapor izer' 8. The pipe G'terminates within the lower or bottom portion of the tank 1 and delivers the Water therefrom to the humidifier 8. The pipe 7 extends to within a short distance of the top of the tank, as indicated at 7 in Figure 2. Both pipes 6 and 7 terminate within the humidifier 8 a short distance from the bottom thereof, as inclicated most clearly in Figure 3. A sight gage 9 is located in the length of the pipe 6 and the water is supplied thereto in regulated quantity by means of a valve 10. This valve may be set to admit of the water discharging into the humidifier in drops and the frequency of the drops may be controlled by proper adjustment of the valve 10.

The humidifier 8 consists of a chamber which is closed by means of a cap 11 and which is provided with attaching means for securing it to the exhaust manifold lQ of an internal combustion engine. As indicated most clearly in Figure 4, arms 13 project from the humidifier 8 and embrace the manifold 12 and are provided with set screw 14, whereby the humidifier is made secure to said manifold. A pipe 15 leads from the upper portion of the humidifier 8 and connects with the intake manifold 16, whereby to supply water vapor to the gaseous mixture on its way to the engine. The humidifier 8 may be of any construction and may be located in any preferred position to be heated by the engine, it being preferred to attach the same to the exhaust manifold.

In the operation of the appliance, the water from the tank 1 is supplied in regulated quantity to the humidifier, the feed being observed by means of the sight gage and controlled by means of the regulating valve 10. The water thus fed to the humiditier 8 is converted into vapor which is supplied to the gaseous mixture passing through the intake manifold 16. The vapor thus added to the fuel prevents fouling of the engine and tends to loosen any accumulation of carbon, besides causing the same to run smoother and with maximum power,

thereby con serving fuel and enabling an increased milea e to be obtained from a given amount 0 fuel.

What is claimed is:

In an internal combustion engine, a humidifier having-an upstanding wall, spaced apart rearwardly extending solid arms integral with said wall at the margin thereof adapted to embrace and to be connected to the exhaust pipe of the engine, a lateral wall integral with the upstanding wall and extending in the opposite direction therefrom to said arms, an imperforate normally removable cap engaging said lateral wall and jointly with the same and said upstanding wall forming a vaporizer chamber, and means connected with said lateral wall between the upstanding wall and cap having communication with a source of water supply whereby-a hun'iidifying charge may be urnished to the engine.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

VAL F. F AN CK. l/Vitnesses W. H. ROWLAND, MORTIMER VISER. 

